Table of Content
- The Creation Stories of Kamadhenu in Hindu Mythology
- Kamadhenu: The All-encompassing Sacred Cow
- Kamadhenu as a Symbol of Prosperity
- Cow and Calf Symbolism in Indian Art
- Cow and Calf in Pichwai Paintings
- Cows in Madhubani paintings
- Cow and Calf in Indian Folk Art
Archaeological evidence shows that cows were domesticated in India around 9000 years ago. Among all domesticated animals, cows have a special significance in Indian history, religion and mythology. Kamadhenu, the sacred cow, is a crucial icon in Hindu mythology. Kamadhenu roughly translates into “a cow from whom all that’s desired can be drawn.” It’s a mythical cow that offers its owner anything they desire. Kamadhenu is also known by the names Surabhi and Nandini. According to Hindu mythology, Kamadhenu is a symbol of prosperity, fertility and wealth.
Kamdhenu's Lotus Throne: Pichwai by Dinesh Soni
Kamadhenu is so significant in Hindu mythology that Indian artists have depicted it in different styles and settings across generations. Apart from its religious significance, the cow is an animal that has helped enhance the Indian economy. Rearing cows and selling cow products is the means of livelihood for many Indians, especially in rural areas. Due to its religious and economic significance, artists from various states and cultures in India have used cows as a recurring symbol of prosperity and wealth. In this article, let’s look at the iconography and symbolism of Kamadhenu in Indian art.
The Creation Stories of Kamadhenu in Hindu Mythology
Hindu mythology offers several stories about the creation of Kamadhenu, the sacred cow. The most popular creation myth comes from the Adi Parva of Mahabharata. It says that when Devas and Asuras churned the ocean of milk, Kamadhenu emerged from it among several other precious objects. Later, the seven sages (Saptarshi) took Kamadhenu under their care. In Indian religious arts, Kamadhenu is often depicted as a Goddess, a woman-cow hybrid emerging from the milky ocean.
Kaamdhenu Devi: Kalamkari Painting by Harinath.N
The second story about Kamadhenu’s creation is from the Udyoga Parva of Mahabharata, which goes like this: After the churning of the milky ocean, Devas obtained Amrut, the nectar of life. Brahma, the lord of creation, consumed too much of Amrut, and when he vomited a bit of it, Kamadhenu fell out of his mouth. Yet another creation story of Kamadhenu is associated with Shree Krishna. Once, when Krishna and Radha were spending time outdoors, they felt thirsty. Krishna willed a cow and calf into existence. They were named Kamadhenu and Manoratha, respectively. Due to Krishna’s close association with cows, Indian artwork often depicts Krishna in the company of cows.
Divine Harmony: Krishna and Cows in Ashutosh Verma's Sanjhi
Kamadhenu: The All-encompassing Sacred Cow
According to Hindu mythology, Kamadhenu is considered a sacred animal that encompasses the whole of nature and Gods. Within Kamadhenu resides all Gods; her face represents the sun and moon, and her shoulders carry Agni, the fire God. Kamadhenu’s legs represent the four Vedas. In Indian art, Kamadhenu is depicted as holding all the Gods within her.
Kamadhenu: Pattachitra painting by Gitanjali Das
Kamadhenu as a Symbol of Prosperity
In ancient India, cows were an indicator of a person’s wealth. In Indian mythology and folklore, owning several herds of cows was a status symbol. This association is natural since the cow is the source of several precious products like milk, butter, curd, and ghee. Also, cow dung is used as manure and for household purposes. Cow’s products are also used in Hindu rituals. For example, Panchagavya, the mixture of five products, has a crucial role in Hindu religious ceremonies.
Since cows are the source of several useful products, people who rear cows often consider them an asset and even revere them according to Hindu religious practices. Due to its religious and economic significance, the cow is often seen as a symbol of purity, prosperity and wealth in Indian culture.
Cow and Calf Symbolism in Indian Art
Cows, being one of the earliest domesticated animals, have played a crucial role in Indian civilisations over the millennia. Depiction of cattle has been found in the prehistoric cave paintings of Bhimbetka. Now, let’s look at the iconography of Kamadhenu in various Indian art forms.
Cow and Calf in Pichwai Paintings
Pichwai is a type of Hindu religious painting that originates from Rajasthan. They depict the life and teachings of Shreenathji, a form of Krishna. In Indian mythology, there is a close connection between Krishna and cows. Krishna’s foster father, Nanda, was the owner of a huge herd of cows. Most of Krishna’s childhood was spent around herds of cows, and he loved and nurtured them. Hence, Krishna is also known as Gopala, the nurturer of cows. Since Pichwai paintings depict the early life of Krishna, cows are an integral part of Pichwai paintings.
In Pichwai paintings, Kamadhenu is often depicted along with Shreenathji, or Krishna. In the following Pichwai paintings, Krishna is depicted as surrounded by a herd of cows, symbolising Krisha as the cow-herder and the source of prosperity.
Shreenathji with Kamdhenu: Pichwai by Dinesh Soni
The cow and its calf are often depicted with different backdrops in Pichwai paintings. Kamadhenu is also known as Surabhi, and it means ‘the fragrant one.’ The following Pichwai painting titled “The Fragrant One” depicts Kamadhenu, a pure white cow and her calf in the resplendent backdrop of a lotus pond. The Kamadhenu with the rich, golden embellishments, symbolises wealth and prosperity.
"The Fragrant one" Kamdhenu in Kamal Talai: Pichwai by Dinesh Soni
Cow herds are also an important icon in Pichwai paintings. Cows are often depicted in groups, around a palm tree or along with lotus flowers, to symbolise nature and prosperity.
Cows in Madhubani paintings
Cows are also often portrayed in Madhubani, a vibrant art form that originated from Mithila in the state of Bihar. Madhubani paintings often depict rural scenes from India, and cows are an essential part of the Indian rural setting. Madhubani paintings often emphasise the harmonious coexistence of humans, nature and animals. In the following Madhubani painting, Kamadhenu is depicted in vibrant colours in a rural setting, which is characteristic of the Mithila style.
Depiction of cow under a tree in Madhubani by Vibhuti Nath
Madhubani paintings that depict Krishna also often feature cows. The following vibrant Madhubani painting portrays a scene where Krishna is playing his flute while a lady is feeding a cow. The lady feeding the cow shows the importance of showing compassion for the animals around us.
Lord Krishna with his flute and a lady feeding a cow in Madhubani by Vibhuti Nath
Cow and Calf in Indian Folk Art
Man milking a cow Bhil art by Shersingh Bhabor
Cows are a crucial part of Indian rural settings, and hence, they make prominent appearances in Indian folk art. Rearing cows and selling milk and milk products is a major business, especially in villages. There are many stories of how a single cow changed the economic status of a whole family. Due to its significant role in the social and religious settings, we see the portrayal of the cow in Indian art.
In the Gond painting below, Kamadhenu and its calf are portrayed in a natural setting. This endearing painting shows the bond between a cow and its calf and also symbolises prosperity.
Kaamdhenu with Calf Gond painting by Venkat Shyam
Indian culture has been intricately connected with nature and animals since prehistoric times. Hindu mythology often assigns divine properties to plants and animals. The myth of Kamadhenu, a cow that brings prosperity to its owner, is also an extension of this Indian outlook. Over centuries, the cow and calf have emerged as recurring symbols across various art forms in India. Artists from across India, practising various styles and schools of art, depict the cow as a symbol of purity, wealth and prosperity.
References:
- https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241677.html
- Animal Depiction in Indian Art throughout History: The representation of cattle and its evolution over time by Yash Vardhan Singh and Prof. Ravi Poovaiah IDC, IIT Bombay
- GAU MATA: The Commodification of Cultural Iconography by Meenakshi Kulkarni, Journal of Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek
- The Self Possessed: Deity and Spirit Possession in South Asian Literature and Civilization by Frederick M. Smith
